Beyond the Basics: Advanced Opening Preparation for 1500-1900 Rated Players

Below article is contributed by guest contributor lichess player: oinkoink2080 of rating 2500

You're starting to find your rhythm in the game, feeling more confident with each move, and perhaps you’ve even ventured into the exciting world of over-the-board tournaments. At this stage, many players begin to ask themselves: What openings should I play to elevate my game? Where can I find the best resources to study? Do I need to invest heavily in chess to improve?
As a 2500-rated player on Lichess, I’ve navigated these very questions and emerged stronger for it. In this blog, I want to guide you, the ambitious 1500-1900 rated player, toward mastering openings that suit your style, exploit your opponents’ weaknesses, and help you secure the upper hand in your games.

Let’s first address a critical question: How important are openings for players rated 1500-1900?
In today’s chess landscape, the internet is overflowing with lessons and videos—an incredible resource, no doubt, but also a potential pitfall if approached without focus. Many of these lessons target general audiences, which means they might not align with your current level or needs. While personal coaching is always an option, I understand that not everyone wants to invest heavily in chess. If you’re in that area, stick with me—I’ve got suggestions tailored just for you.
At this level, I believe focusing on quick opening traps is no longer productive. Instead, the conversation should shift to real openings—ones with solid reputations that are practical yet not overly complex. In my opinion, there are simply far too many lines in the Sicilian Defense that are sharp and highly complicated, even for players with a solid understanding of chess fundamentals. Speaking from personal experience, I’ve found myself in losing positions straight out of the opening while playing the Sicilian at times. This happens not because the opening itself is unsound, but because it requires a deep knowledge of theory and precise handling, which can be overwhelming at this level. Even GothamChess, a trusted voice in the community, advises players below 2000 to steer clear of the Sicilian due to its complexity.

For players rated 1500-1900, I recommend adopting systematic openings. Systematic openings are approaches where you aim to achieve the same setup regardless of your opponent’s moves. These openings prioritize structure and consistency, allowing you to focus more on understanding the ideas of resulting positions rather than memorizing countless variations. By sticking to a familiar setup, systematic openings reduce the complexity of preparation, making it easier to navigate the board with confidence. This is especially valuable for players in the 1500-1900 range, as it helps establish solid, playable positions without the need for deep theoretical knowledge. Moreover, by relying on a structured approach, you can often gain a time advantage out of the opening, giving you a valuable edge to capitalize on in the middlegame and endgame.

In this study we will be exploring some key ideas behind the London System, one of the most well-established systematic openings in chess.

To explore the full repertoire, click on the three dots below the board, and click "View On Lichess."

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